Atlanta, GA --
The Atlanta Thrashers need defensive help. This was a major concern for GM Love and he has been openly shopping for d-help for the team from day one. It looks as if now he has finally got a deal done that will help his cause. First he aquired stud d-man Kimmo Timmonen and a 4th round pick this year from Nashville in exchange for prospects Jim Slater and Karl Stewart.
"It deffinatley hurts to see a guy like Slater go. We feel he is going to be a great NHL'er one day but this is a deal we had to do. Kimmo is a top end d-man and is a great addition to our hockey club." Commented GM Love.
The Thrashers also picked Ladislav Smid with the #10 overall pick in the draft. Smid is a very solid young d-man that gives the Thrashers one of the strongest prospect d-cores with Smid and Coburn.